The A&TC Crew spent the hot July and August workdays focusing on the route for the expansion of the mainline. In July Ken, Stephen, James and Mark worked their way through the woods a couple of times to set the best curve to pass by San Patricio. Linda and Lori put out a high-class chili cheese dog feast for lunch. Following phase 3 on the railroad plan, the crew finished the day approximately where the new Refugio station will begin.
The August workday had a big turnout allowing two teams to tackle projects. One team cleared a new walking path from the middle of San Patricio to the house. Then, they began trimming the yaupon brush overhanging the right of way and gathering old brush trimmings from the mainline. Stephen had built a 12-foot flatcar for brush loads and track panels which was put to use to haul the brush closer to the burn pile.
The second team continued surveying the mainline expansion. The route passed through the location for Refugio and reached the pipeline clearing so the tractor could begin doing the clearing work. The new expansion is now at about 750 feet. The remaining length to survey is estimated at 700-800 feet.
Lori and Linda provided cold watermelon for a mid-morning break. Lunch was a chicken fajita buffet.
The crew in August included John, Paul, Rhonda, Graves, Jim, Craig, James, Bob, Linda, Lori, Ken, and Stephen.
This expansion will continue to the Grass Fight station and then to the Alamo loop. (This crossing of phases 3 to 2 will be fixed with the phase 2 expansion which was strategically delayed.)
